I spent years, and I imply years, searching down the proper pair of Levi’s, solely to find that the perfect Levi’s alternate options are extra flattering, snug, and total… higher. So, in the event you’re in the identical boat of retiring your Levi’s fixation, I’m happy to tell you that I’ve completed the heavy lifting of discovering the manufacturers to gravitate in direction of as a substitute.
Beneath, you’ll discover seven of the perfect denims like Levi’s, with comparable straight-leg silhouettes and rugged, sturdy constructions. However moderately than forcing Levi’s to give you the results you want, the denims on this checklist supply compelling replacements for America’s favourite denim. No extra saggy crotches or tight legs – the denims beneath are what you’ve been looking for.
Preserve studying to seek out your new go-to pair of pants.
Key Takeaways
After poring over numerous websites and studying a whole bunch of opinions, my last opinion is in. The perfect denims like Levi’s are the Nudie Gritty Jackson Denims, that are a up to date various to the traditional 501 type.
They function a straight leg, zipper fly, and free lifetime repairs, making them properly definitely worth the funding. Nonetheless, given the excessive worth level, in the event you’re in search of a extra reasonably priced Levi’s various, then the Wrangler Common Match Denims are on par with the price of Levi’s and have a really comparable feel and appear.
Why they’re nice: Nudie is by far the perfect model for denims that match like Levi’s, and I’ve personally swapped out all of my denims in favor of this Swedish denim powerhouse. Not solely do all of their denims include free lifetime repairs, however the model has additionally simplified the purchasing expertise.
There are a handful of trendy trouser types to select from, every with completely different washes and lengths. Nothing overwhelming, however nonetheless loads of choices, spanning from structured selvedge denims to pure cotton silhouettes.
Who’re these for? The Gritty Jackson type is without doubt one of the greatest Levi’s alternate options in the event you’re seeking to change traditional 501s. They’ve the same straight leg with a barely relaxed really feel to them. When you want a button fly – a Levi’s staple – then Nudie’s Rad Rufus type is one other nice choice.
Flaws however not deal-breakers: Hovering at about $200 a pair, Nudie Denims are fairly a bit pricier than Levi’s. However given the lifetime repairs and their total high quality, denim from this model may be considered a worthwhile funding.
Sizes: 28–38 | Materials: 100% cotton | Colours: 24 | Care: Machine wash chilly
Why they’re nice: One of many greatest attracts to Levi’s is the extremely traditional feel and appear of the denims. And this trait is replicated in these denims from Closed. No stranger to the denim scene, Closed is a prime various for high-end menswear. These denims have a tiny contact of elastane for ease of motion and a medium weight that’s appropriate for year-round put on.
Who’re these for? When you’re looking for the perfect various to Levi’s in favor of a nicer sort of denims, these are made in Italy with sustainable practices and an opulent darkish colorway. But when the indigo doesn’t do it for ya, then the identical type additionally is available in 25 further washes.
Flaws however not deal-breakers: These denims are positively on the dearer aspect, and in contrast to comparable manufacturers like Nudie, they don’t include free repairs or different comparable perks.
Sizes: 27–38 | Materials: 99% cotton, 1% elastane | Colours: 25 | Care: Machine wash chilly
Why they’re nice: Wrangler is as near Levi’s because it will get, denoting these denims as one of the crucial compelling alternate options. Embodying the identical Americana workwear vibes, Wrangler denim has a comparable match, high quality, and worth level to Levi’s. These 5 pocket pants are price selecting over 501s in the event you’re in search of a little bit of stretch within the waistband with the same straight-leg type.
Who’re these for? Vertically challenged or lengthy and lanky? These denims are available in a number of inseam lengths spanning from 29 to 36 and an enormous vary of inclusive waist sizes as much as 60.
Flaws however not deal-breakers: Some males, particularly these with skinnier legs, might discover these pants a bit saggy.
Sizes: 29–60 | Materials: 98% cotton, 2% spandex | Colours: 9 | Care: Machine wash chilly
Why they’re nice: If Levi’s and Wrangler are brothers, then Carhartt is the cool youthful cousin who at all times exhibits as much as the perform in work boots, irrespective of how good the occasion is. With extra of a rugged aptitude, these denims are the perfect alternate options for sturdy denim that doesn’t sacrifice type. They’ve a tapered leg, three colorways, and a pure denim building worthy of any go-getter.
Who’re these for? Properly-loved on the job web site, these denims like Levi’s are for the working man or the man who merely values powerful, wear-anywhere denim.
Flaws however not deal-breakers: These denims have a flattering mid-rise, however they’re a bit tighter than different pants that boast a relaxed match, particularly across the thighs.
Sizes: 28–54 | Materials: 100% cotton | Colours: 3 | Care: Machine wash chilly
Why they’re nice: Lee has been making denims for practically so long as Levi’s, and with greater than 135 years within the enterprise, they provide – no shock – a number of the greatest alternate options. Preferrred for any man searching for a traditional straight-leg match, these denims are available in eleven washes spanning gentle summer time hues to darkish black denim. Completed with a tiny little bit of elastane for the last word consolation, Lee is a drive to be reckoned with in the case of stable alternate options.
Who’re these for? When you like your denims with a little bit of give to them, then these are the perfect various as a result of they embrace a contact of elastane for a nonrestrictive match.
Flaws however not deal-breakers: These denims are a bit saggy within the legs and the rear. Additionally they are likely to stretch out due to the elastane, particularly after washing.
Sizes: 28–42 | Materials: 99% cotton, 1% spandex | Colours: 11 | Care: Machine wash chilly
Why they’re nice: Danish model Forét prioritizes perform over frills, which is why these are a number of the greatest alternate options to Levi’s for males. Free from any bells and whistles, these denims are designed to be sensible, honing into denim’s workwear roots similarly to Levi’s. Made in Portugal from gentle natural cotton, these denims have a snug midweight and relaxed straight leg match.
Who’re these for? For the man who appreciates a superb pair of denims, these will hit the spot each time. They’re easy in the identical manner that Levi’s are, with a little bit of an upscale twist, and the cloud colorway is ideal for summer time denim.
Flaws however not deal-breakers: Though most pairs of denims, particularly at this worth level, have a number of lengths to select from, these have solely a single commonplace inseam.
Sizes: 28–36 | Materials: 100% natural cotton | Colours: 4 | Care: Machine wash chilly
Why they’re nice: For reasonably priced males’s fundamentals, Uniqlo hits the spot each single time, denim included. The model’s best-selling EZY denims are outfitted with a brilliant gentle lining that looks like joggers and have a slim tapered design that may be worn up or stored laid again. However the actual draw to those denims is the unbelievable stretch — they permit all of the motion of your favourite athleisure whereas wanting good sufficient for sensible informal put on.
Who’re these for? For an alternate at a comparable worth level and comparable type, these are a number of the greatest choices, particularly for guys with thicker thighs, given the beneficiant quantity of stretch. Uniqlo is constant and reliable, denoting these an exquisite selection for year-round denims, and an particularly nice choice as journey pants for males.
Flaws however not deal-breakers: These denims positively prioritize stretch over the denim itself, so don’t anticipate a cloth that appears or feels inflexible.
Sizes: XS–3XL | Materials: 82% cotton, 9% lyocell, 8% polyester, 1% spandex | Colours: 4 | Care: Machine wash chilly
Shopping for Concerns for Levi’s Alternate options
Type
The primary consideration when selecting the perfect Levi’s various is the type, as this determines how the pants will look and match. Most denims that match like Levi’s have the same straight-leg type that’s barely relaxed with out wanting saggy. This match most intently resembles the traditional Levi’s 501s and is a breeze to decorate up or hold informal.
Other than the straight leg, you’ll discover denims like Levi’s in a variety of types, from a slim taper to a brilliant skinny and all the things in between. After all, type comes down to non-public desire, so select a pair of denims that take advantage of sense in your life and meant makes use of.
Materials
The fabric additionally components into Levi’s alternate options as a result of it impacts how the pants really feel and transfer with you. For essentially the most sturdy, high-quality denims, it’s price selecting a 100% cotton building that can stand up to the throes of on a regular basis life. Nonetheless, pure cotton denim may be inflexible and takes time (and some washes) to melt up.
When you want a pair of denims that you may actually transfer in, you could need to contemplate a mixture of cotton and elastane or spandex, which provides a contact of stretch. The one draw back to cotton blends is that males’s pants with this building are likely to lose their form in a manner that pure cotton doesn’t.
Colorways
One of many biggest features of Levi’s is that they arrive in nearly each colour below the solar. However you’ll rapidly uncover that denims like Levi’s are additionally obtainable in dozens of colorways. Though hue doesn’t matter an excessive amount of on the floor, it vastly impacts the garment’s wearability.
For instance, black denims and darkish washes may be dressed up a lot simpler than lighter colorways, whereas lighter colorways are perfect for sizzling summer time days and extra laid again seems. It received’t make or break something, however colour continues to be price occupied with when selecting the perfect Levi’s alternate options.
How We Selected
Though most denims can act as a substitute for Levi’s, sure features had been thought of when selecting every pair for this checklist. Right here’s a fast breakdown of the factors used to pick the greatest denims like Levi’s:
Model Popularity: Most individuals gravitate in direction of Levi’s due to the family identify. For the same impact, the entire denims on this checklist are backed by a really robust model fame, giving them the same diploma of status to Levi’s.
Type & Match: Levi 501s are sometimes immediately recognizable, so in the case of denims that appear to be Levi’s, sustaining the same type and match is essential. A lot of the denims on this checklist have a traditional straight leg and barely relaxed type, retaining it true to the most well-liked Levi’s silhouette, the 501 denims.
Materials: All the denims on this checklist function a pure cotton building or cotton with a small quantity of elastane or spandex for stretch. This ensures the very best high quality of each pair of denims, moderately than denim constructed from polyester or artificial blends.
Value Level: One of many greatest attracts to Levi’s is the reasonably priced worth level (they’re a number of the greatest denims below $100), so on this checklist, you’ll discover loads of alternate options to Levi’s at the same value. There are some that swimsuit a luxurious finances, however most are at a snug mid-range worth.
Why Belief Us?
Jane Elmets is an skilled style author and longtime denim fanatic. She spends her free time monitoring down classic Levi’s at flea markets, and when she’s not rocking 501s, she’s on the hunt for various manufacturers to replenish her assortment. By means of her writing, Jane strives to assist males discover their very own excellent pair of denims and different wardrobe staples, as seen in her latest articles about kinds of jackets and the greatest pocket tees for males.
Her suggestions are primarily based on thorough analysis and firsthand testing, making certain that you just obtain dependable and trendy alternate options to Levi’s. Jane’s experience, mixed along with her eager eye for high quality and tendencies, makes her a trusted supply for style recommendation.
Last Verdict
Though there isn’t any scarcity of Levi’s alternate options, the perfect are the Nudie Gritty Jackson Denims, which have a pure cotton building and flattering straight-leg match. When you’re in search of a worth level just like Levi’s, the Wrangler Common Match Denims have a really comparable feel and appear with out breaking the financial institution.
FAQ
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Some various manufacturers to Levi’s embrace Wrangler, Lee, and Carhartt. For extra high-end model alternate options, strive Nudie Denims, Shut Denim, or Foret.
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In my expertise, I’ve discovered Nudie Denims to suit like Levi’s, however with a extra flattering silhouette. Nonetheless, for the closest match to Levi’s, strive Wrangler or Lee denims which have a comparable relaxed straight leg.
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